Bond, James Bond. Even the way he says his name is a chiasmus! So it’s fitting that we would find a chiastic structure in arguably the most-famous Bond movie of all time: Goldfinger. This was the third film in the series, and it cemented the character’s place in the upper echelons of cinematic history.

And now I’m going to immortalize it even more by showing that it follows a rich storytelling structure where every beat in the first half is repeated in the second half. And just wait until you see the turning point! It’s sheer brilliance.

Once again, I must acknowledge my reader Jordan for recommending this film for the Cinematic Chiasmus treatment. He’s been right about every film he’s recommended so far: Tron, Escape from New York, Dreamscape, Akira, Conan the Barbarian, and Scream. On with the show!

The Chiasmus

I’ve organized the film’s events into this structure to demonstrate how they mirror each other on both sides of the chiasmus.

A. James Bond avoids detection from his enemies by going undercover
 B. Bond blows up a drug lab
  C. Bond gets surprise-attacked before his plane leaves, but he survives
   D. Felix Leiter talks to Bond about Auric Goldfinger, and he points Goldfinger out
    E. Bond ruins Goldfinger’s plan by romancing Jill Masterson
     F. Oddjob knocks out Bond
      G. Oddjob kills Jill, and he purposefully leaves Bond alive
       H. Bond gets briefed by M about Goldfinger
        I. Bond hears about the plan to take down Goldfinger’s smuggling operation
         J. Q Branch demonstrates gadgets that will be used later, including ones in an Aston Martin
          K. Bond explains his clever plan to outsmart Goldfinger to his caddie, and Bond wins their golf game in a reversal
           L. Bond follows Goldfinger to Geneva using a homing device on his car
            M. Bond pops Tilly Masterson’s tires and drives her to a hotel
             N. Bond overhears the term Operation Grandslam from Goldfinger
              O. Tilly unsuccessfully tries to assassinate Goldfinger. Bond stops her, and she says it’s payback for killing her sister Jill
               P. Tilly is killed, and Bond is outwitted by a reflective mirror when he attempts to escape
                Q. Goldfinger turns on a laser and threatens to kill Bond because he believes Bond knows nothing about his plan
                Q. Goldfinger turns off the laser and doesn’t kill Bond because he realizes Bond knows too much about his plan
               P. Pussy Galore is introduced, and Bond outwits his captors by covering a mirror when they attempt to spy on him
              O. Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus has a successful trial run. Meanwhile, conmen demand payback of $1 million from Goldfinger
             N. Bond sneakily learns about Operation Grandslam from Goldfinger
            M. Pussy drops Bond to the floor and walks him back to his cell
           L. Felix follows Bond’s homing device aboard a car driven by Oddjob
          K. Goldfinger explains his ingenious plan to Bond, and Bond turns the tables on Pussy and gets her to surrender
         J. Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus use planes to do what they trained to do earlier
        I. Bond watches Goldfinger carry out his plan to break into Fort Knox
       H. Bond gets locked in the Fort Knox vault by Goldfinger
      G. Oddjob kills a henchman, and he accidentally helps free Bond
     F. Bond kills Oddjob
    E. Bond ruins Goldfinger’s plan by romancing Pussy
   D. Felix congratulates Bond, and he says Goldfinger is missing
  C. Bond gets surprised by Goldfinger aboard a plane, but he survives
 B. Bond’s plane crashes and explodes
A. Bond avoids detection from his friends with Pussy under a parachute

Positively Shocking

Isn’t the turning point (Q) amazing? The most-iconic scene in Bond film history is also the most-important part of Goldfinger’s chiasmus. It’s the point at which events begin to repeat themselves and deepen the meaning of earlier moments in the film. And it just so happens to be the letter Q, even though he had to rely on his wits, not his gadgets, to survive. Shocking, positively shocking, one might say. I suppose it shows that Bond is much more than his equipment.

The laser scene is not just famous because of its great lines, pitch-perfect acting, true distress to the main character, and satisfying conclusion, but it’s also because this whole time it’s been the hinge point of the entire film. I hope this analysis has enriched your enjoyment of Goldfinger. Leave it to James Bond to save the world with sophistication and style.

Oh, and Jordan will return.

This is the Deja Reviewer bidding you farewell until we meet again.

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